On March 2011, we had the opportunity to welcome the celebrated motorcycle rider Karel Abraham to Česká zbrojovka a.s. We are big fans of Karel and because we were interested not only in his brilliant riding career but also in his relationship to weapons, we requested him to give us a short interview.
1. How did you become involved with motorsports?
Actually I got into motorcycles relatively late in life. While others were getting started when they were seven or eight years old, I didn't ride in my first race till I was eleven. This was in Prague, in the year 2001.
2. Which race are you looking forward to the most during this season?
Perhaps the very first one, which will take place in Qatar. This will be quite soon, so I'm in the full throes of preparation.
3. On what types of motorcycles and for which makes have you had the opportunity to race - and how is it looking for you now in this respect?
Listing all the makes of bikes would probably be beside the point, because I've gone through so many changes during my racing career. This year I'm going to ride a Ducati. Right now they are certainly the sturdiest.
4. What do you consider as your greatest achievement to-date?
Anyone who follows the world motorcycle championship would probably also agree that it was in the final race of the season, last year in Valencia, where we managed to achieve victory.
5. How do you combine your demanding career as a professional rider who travels all over the world with your university studies?
It's not easy. Currently I'm in my second year of studying Law at the Jošta Academy in Brno. It is quite difficult to manage it but somehow I'm still managing to hang in there.
6. Do the old matadors look on novices as serious rivals or do they try to ignore them completely? How do you feel being in the role of a novice?
Experienced riders certainly do not ignore rookies. It would definitely have backfired on them on a couple of occasions. This season will not be easy for me but as long as we work hard, hopefully we'll see steady improvement throughout the year.
7. What news from the motorbike arena caught your attention at this year's MOTOSALON Trade Fair in Prague?
The fair was interesting, especially for people who do not see bikes like these anywhere else. At races, however, we already have all these things right under our noses.
8. Is there any practical difference between a team rider and a factory rider and, if so, what is it?
The factory rider rides directly for the factory team. I ride in a satellite team. The main difference being that we get our parts a little later than they do. Of course the factory team is mostly supported directly by the factory.
9. What can you tell us about the new Ducati Desmosedici GP11 motorcycle on which you will be riding this season?
Essentially the MotoGP model is the most powerful motorbike in the world. Strictly a racing bike, it is one that you cannot purchase if you're not riding in the MotoGP. It would take too long to describe every feature of the motorbike, because almost every aspect of it is different than it is on production motorcycles.
10. The mechanics of the Cardion AB Motoracing team, for which you ride, spent several days at the world famous Ducati factory at Borgo Panigale, in Bologna, where the company has its historic seat. Can you briefly explain what a visit such as this means for the entire Cardion AB Motoracing team?
The team had to become familiar with the bike and try disassembling and reassembling it. It is very important that the mechanics should be 100 percent prepared, both during rigorous practice and the race itself.
11. What preparations are you currently undertaking before the start of this year's championship, which commence on the 20th March 2011 at the Losail circuit, near Doha in Qatar?
In the winter I underwent intense physical training. The G force on the MotoGP bike during braking and acceleration is enormous, and I have to be able to withstand it for the entire 110 km of a race. Especially when braking, it stresses the arms and shoulders. After the first test-run in Malaysia I had to work a lot on my fitness, but I think I'm a lot readier now.
12. What are your other hobbies? What else do you enjoy outside the world of bike-riding?
I enjoy almost all extreme sports. However, probably my absolute favourite hobby is shooting and guns. I try to go to the shooting range at every opportunity when I have a little free time.
13. During this tour of our factory you have had an opportunity to try out shooting with our weapons. Which of them suited you the best?
At home I have a CZ 75 Compact but of course I'm familiar with a lot of the weapons made by Česká zbrojovka, like the popular model Sa vz. 58 sub-machine gun, for example. I was very impressed by the new Scorpion CZ SCORPION EVO 3 A1. Firing was comfortable and pretty accurate, even when shooting rounds. It could perhaps even become my favourite weapon.
